Crisis Abroad

Perhaps not since the Gulf War have we given sustained attention
to overseas matters as we do now with Kosovo. Enjoying the fruits
of our strong economy, our pursuits have long been geared to the
domestic front until now (foreign countries existed for the sole
purpose of providing us with trade partners). Indeed, our comfort
level may well be challenged as this conflict continues to escalate.

Looking back, the victory in the Persian Gulf conveniently capped
off the end of the Cold War era. Before then, our foreign policy had
been guided by the threat of highly ideological opponents, at least
back to the 1930's. Although our presumptions of such principled
divisions were seriously tested during and after the Vietnam era,
they continued to serve as demarcations up to the very eve of this
decade. What direction should foreign policy have taken after the
fall of the Soviet Union? It had certainly been easier to define
international matters when Nazis or Communists threatened the
world. But as conflicts resorted back to the more primitive sort
(regional, ethnic and religious), we hardly knew how to react. Now
we are committed to an engagement in just such an old-fashioned
type of conflict, Nazi-like overtones aside, that may involve the
deployment of American ground troops and the entanglement of a
fair portion of our overall military might. What principles should
guide us in evaluating these events?

—Leadership University Editor/Webmaster, Byron Barlowe

Feature Articles:

The Paradox of War and PacifismMark T. Clark
This article examines the paradox of war and pacifism in the Bible, where
paradox means apparent contradiction. The examination includes
a review of the major positions Christians have taken on the paradox
historically, from that of pacifism, to qualified participation, to the crusade.

U.S. Has Right to Bomb, But is Bombing Right?Larry P. Arnn
What would Winston Churchill say about our strategy in Kosovo?
Previous foreign policy blunders and the current lack of a definitive
plan call into question the ability of this administration to effectively
handle this situation.

Avoiding Another Balkan Quagmire in KosovoJames Anderson
Although written before the bombing campaign began, this article
provides insight to the dangers that the United States might face in
Kosovo, even with the support of NATO allies.

General Foreign Policy Articles:

The Responsibilities of PowerSven F. Kraemer
What should our role be in the post-Cold War world? This book
review of George Weigel's Idealism Without Illusions: U.S. Foreign
Policy in the 1990s provides some valuable insights on this topic.

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